…to protect irreplaceable habitats for the community, wildlife and future generations.
Welcoming our new Executive Director
Meet Rochelle Thomas
The Mianus River Gorge welcomed Rochelle Thomas as the new executive director on May 26th 2026.
Rochelle is a mission-driven conservation and nonprofit leader, with more than a decade of experience advancing conservation and land stewardship, fundraising, strategic planning, and community engagement…
News
Upcoming Events
Back Country Hike
Research & Education
A Living Laboratory …
Mianus River Gorge was founded in 1953 by a group of conservationists and natural scientists who recognized the unique value of the old-growth hemlock forest and its tremendous biodiversity. The early founders protected the land as a living laboratory to develop sound land and watershed management strategies.
Land Management & Stewardship
As MRG acquires land to protect, a stewardship plan is devised to manage each parcel to either restore or maintain its health and function. As overbrowsing deer and invasive species have become major factors in the decline of native flora, MRG staff work to find effective solutions and share best practices.
Land Protection
The 22-mile Mianus River runs through the Mianus River Gorge Preserve and is part of a 42-square mile watershed, spanning five towns in two states. MRG protects the land that encompasses the Mianus River Watershed through acquisitions or gifts of land and managing conservation easements.